The online casino market in Canada is booming these days. So, many new players are wondering whether it’s safe to play on the web. Well, the overwhelming majority of Canadian betting sites are operating legally and possess licenses from the country’s authorities, so they are completely safe to gamble on. If you’re looking for a list of the top casinos known for their reliability and safety, check out https://casinosranker.com/.
What Is the legality of online gambling?
Laws regulating online gambling in Canada are imposed by provinces. So, the regulations may vary significantly from one state to another. In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, any form of gambling, whether it’s physical or online, is illegal, while Saskatchewan allows establishing brick-n-mortar casinos on its territory. On the other hand, British Columbia and Manitoba have their own governmentally run betting platforms launched in 2004 and 2013, respectively. Mind that Canadian betting laws require any online casino to be licensed by the state authorities. All the gaming regulations are quite strict, as sites without a valid registration get shut down immediately, and their owners face significant fines.
As mentioned above, Canadian laws are absolutely transparent and provide reliable regulation. But what about other legislations? For instance, if a given company is registered in Curacao, can it operate in Canada without violating the law? Well, this is where things get complicated. The majority of offshore operators do not actually possess a license from Canadian authorities. The Kahnawake Gambling Commission, which is the most renowned licensing institution in the country, has issued only 250 licenses, while the number of currently accessible websites has hit 1,000 and continues to grow. Clearly, an individual won’t face any legal consequences for opening an Internet page and playing some real money games. However, any operator that launches an illegal website will be pursued. The most notable case is the Starnet Communications vs British Columbia lawsuit, which resulted in a $4 million fine for the Delaware-based company.
Licensing
As mentioned earlier, any betting site operating in the country must be licensed by its authorities. Most companies tend to register with provincial governments, with the most well-known institution being the Kahnawake Gambling Commission. Canadian territories of Nunavut, Yukon, and Northwestern Territories are administered by the national government; hence, there are no betting sites registered there (considering the remote location and low population of the territories, it isn’t much of a surprise). Both offshore operators and locally-based companies are typically licensed by the Kahnawake Commission. This agency, founded in 1996 within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, is trusted by the majority of regular players, industry experts, and businesses.
The provincial gaming authorities in Canada
Each province of Canada has its own regulating organs that administer gaming, sports betting, and lotteries. Here’s the list of the authorities by province:
- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
- Quebec Alcohol, Racing, and Gaming Commission
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation (Nova Scotia)
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation (New Brunswick)
- Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba
- Prince Edward Island Lotteries Commission
- Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation (Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation (Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission
It’s worth noting that indigenous people are exempt from general regulations. They can open casinos, horse tracks, sports betting facilities, and other forms of gambling establishments on their land without any legal consequences. This led to the launch of the Kahnawake Commission alongside some less renowned organs. The Commission acts as a loophole, allowing offshore brands to enter the Canadian market with no risk of being banned or fined.
Can you bet in an online casino in Canada?
Online casino services in Canada are accessible to any citizen of the country above the age of 18 or 19, depending on the province of residence. You may always travel to a different province to play in a land-based gambling house, while Internet betting sites are generally accepting all 18-year-old players without any issues. Remember that you must provide a legal document to create an account with any website; minors are strictly prohibited from playing for real money. Canadian dollars are accepted as a payment method by almost every website, though it’s strongly recommended to go through the terms & conditions before joining. Some sites may have hidden charges and withdrawal commissions. You should review the potential currency conversion rates, registration information, and average payout percentage whenever creating an account with a betting site.
How to find a safe and trustworthy Casino?
There are several essential factors that a trusted casino brand should possess. First and foremost, check out the variety of games offered by the website. The majority of casinos focus on slot machines, so you’ll find a great number of them on almost any site. Decent operators should also provide table games, lotteries, a live-dealer section, and, perhaps, sports betting services. The best online casinos are notable for their generous bonuses. A welcome package of several thousand dollars is a persuasive argument for choosing a given site over its competitors. Consider checking out how much you can win from a casino over a certain period of time (this information is commonly specified in the T&Cs). If any important data is missing, don’t hesitate to reach out to the platform’s customer support for clarification.
Is it possible to play on international casino sites?
Yes, any citizen of Canada can play in an offshore casino. There have never been any cases of individuals facing legal consequences for engaging in web betting, so it’s completely safe to gamble on foreign websites. All you need to do is pick a reliable operator, as any disputes with an offshore company will be nearly impossible to resolve.
Conclusion
Overall, online betting is a great way to spend some spare time. If you are playing with a safe operator licensed by the government and reviewed by independent experts, there are no reasons to worry about safety whatsoever. A wide array of games and pleasant bonuses make the customer experience even more positive.
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